ABBA Album: “Voulez-Vous [Remaster]”

Being primarily a lover/collector of heavy metal, hard and progressive rock music, how can I explain why I still have a soft spot for this Swedish music machine. First of all I can say that ABBA was a big part of the music I grew up on. I especially remember being fascinated by the constant presence of the song 'Chiquitita' (among others) pouring out of the radio as well as from stereo and music shop speakers in the late 70's/early 80's. As a 12-year old kid, I amassed most of their albums on cassette before discovering more serious media such as vinyl and eventually CD's. Now when I listen to their output on CD with a more mature mind it has taken on a whole new meaning for me. I would say their most mature, consistent and standout album would be 'Voulez-Vous'. From the opening reverbed vocal onslaught on `As Good As New' to the powerful controlled screams on `Lovers (live a little longer)' it does not disappoint. Agnetha's and Anni-Frid's stirring and exquisite vocal harmonies are at their finest. After a typical listen to this album, every one of the tunes on this recording reverberates in my head constantly. Although the songs that went on to be hits (`Chiquitita', `Angel Eyes', `Does Your Mother Know') are top-notch, the remaining tracks such as `If It Wasn't For The Nights, `Lovers...', `The King Has Lost His Crown' etc. are just as good if not better. Without going into in-depth analysis of each song, I would say that IMHO, every single song on this album is memorable and extremely catchy. Whether you consider Voulez-Vous as influenced mainly by disco, funk, or whatever, it doesn't matter. Even though it is a bit dancey, the bottom line is that it's just plain brilliant music!. (interestingly enough I actually consider many 'disco' songs of that era to be of much higher musical quality than a lot the latest rock/pop crap being 'manufactured' today). The bonus tracks, `Gimme Gimme Gimme', `Summer Night City' and `Lovelight' are an especially nice addition to the remastered version (the first two I remember hearing on a long gone cassette copy of `Greatest Hits Vol.2' I had back in the day). If you dig ABBA for whatever reason (don't be ashamed to admit it!) you will not be disappointed by this album, especially the remastered version.

I've been an ABBA fan since 1980 when they released their spanish LP titled "Gracias por la Musica". My mom had purchased that LP for herself but because the songs were fabulous, I took sole possession of it. The girls sang so beautifully in spanish that for 2 years I thought ABBA was a latin group. Fast forward 2 years later and I saw this album up on a department store glass showcase. A couple of violent tugs at my mom's coat and the record was mine.

Many have classified ABBA as pure disco but this is the closest they ever got to that particular music genre. Their other albums were mostly pop with maybe a few disco flavoured tunes thrown in. Whether you're a fan of disco or not, VOULEZ-VOUS is music to the ears. The songs offered are all catchy with exquisite vocals and tight intricate harmonies. Agnetha and Frida never sounded better than on this CD. The contrast between their voices is clearly evident in this album even more so than their other records.

Frida's sultry and sexy lower register is at it's vocal best in "The King Has Lost His Crown" and "Lovers(Live a Little Longer)". Agnetha's voice is at its most stunning in "As Good as New". Her high pitched belt is energetic, and lively. Not many singers can belt out those high notes but Agnetha makes it sound easy. Her vocal work in "Chiquitita" is also outstanding. She starts off softly but really digs in to the chorus and Frida adds her trademark vocals into the harmony. One of my favourite songs on this album is the appealing "If it Wasn't for the Nights". The song itself is completely over the top in every conceivable way but it's irresistable nontheless. This song is definitely one of the albums highlights and showcases the raw talent of both female singers. Although they're both singing in unison for the most part during the verse, we still get to hear the delightful contrast of their voices. Frida's Mezzo soprano is predominant during the sections "Keeping me so busy/All the day through/They're the things that keep me from thinking of you"..etc while Agnetha impresses and is predominant during "Ohhh baby I miss you so/I know I'm never gonna make it...." and during the chorus. This song is outstanding and should have been released as a single. It may have been a little too long for radio play but that could have been easily remedied by skillful editing.

VOULEZ-VOUS (the album) did good business internationally. It reached #4 on the Album charts here in Canada, it reached #1 in the UK and made the Top 20 in the US.

The song "Summer Night City" was originally intended for the album but was left out. It is included here as a bonus track. I guess they didn't think the song was good enough. ABBA would make this a habit as "Lovelight" (also included in this edition as a bonus track) and "Dream World" (not included) were also recorded but kept off the album (and some wonderful songs would be archived including the now mythic-among-fans "Just Like That" which can be heard on YOUTUBE BTW in it's various versions). However they still released "Summer Night City" as a single in 1978 (before the album was released) and it peaked in the Top 5 (UK) and the Top 40 (Canada). It was never released as a single in the US. The singles released from the album also did well. In the UK- "Voulez-Vous", "Angeleyes", Chiquitita", "Does Your Mother Know" and "I have a Dream" all reached the Top 5. Another single released that year, "Gimme Gimme Gimme" peaked at #3- however that single was not included in the original album.

In North America, the songs did fairly well also, "Does Your Mother Know" reached #8 in Canada and #19 in the US. "Chiquitita" reached #17 in Canada and #29 in the US. "Angeleyes" (CAN #39, US #64) & "Voulez-Vous" (CAN #42, US #80) were both minor hits.

VOULEZ-VOUS is one of ABBA's most energetic albums. The songs are fun and melodic but in my opinion, one of the greatest assets to this recording is the wonderful vocals by the girls. ABBA fans may cite other albums such as "Super Trouper", "Arrival" or "The Visitors" as their most accomplished but no other album really showcases the beauty and brilliance of their vocals like this one. It doesn't hurt that the songs they are singing are fantastic.

Ridign high on the wave of disco in 79, this release form ABBA saw the group unleash to the world a multitude of hit singles (5 UK Top 5) all of which show the group at their most audibly accessible and brilliant. Production-wise the sounds are uplifting without being cheesy, and the songs brilliantly formulaic - and they work - most of which are now regarded as ABBA classix. Top marks go to the infuratingly catchy title track (still gets people going in a disco 20 odd years later!) and to the first single featuring a male vocal (Does Your Mother Know). Summer NIght City is another song with male lead vocals and you feel the heat and mystery of the song through the deeper registers of the vocals. Klassik. Add to that the wonderful If ItWasn't For The Nights, fantastic uptemp sing which shows the power of the girls' voices when they sing in Unison. The now timeless ballads Chiquitita and I Have A Dream will forever be ABBA faves (altho not personal faves). Of the bonus trax in this cd edition Gimme Gimme is still a timeless campy pop song (originally featured on ABBA's GH Vol.2) and Lovelight, a pure pop sing which still uplifts. Seriously, not one bad tack here (altho King Has Lost His Crown sounds dated now), vocally astounding, musically consistent, and indicative of ABBA's brilliance as pop performers and timeless contribution to the library of popular music.

I own all the Abba albums, and this one, recorded at the very peak of their popularity in the late 70's, shows all the reasons why they were the kings and queens of pop.

Abba is often considered by those who don't know them as a "disco" group. The truth is that this is the only album where Abba tried out disco, with stunning results. "Voulez-vous" is quite simply one of the greatest disco singles ever recorded. It masterfully tells the story of a pick-up in a disco, and lyrically it blows most other disco songs out of the water. And the bonus track "Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie," released as a single in support of the now unavailable "Greatest Hits Vol 2" is equally good. Madonna knows a good hook when she hears one, and borrowed one of the all-time great ones from "Gimmie" for "Hung Up."

The rest of the album moves deftly through the European music styles that form the backbone of most Abba music. Folk ballads (Chiquitita and I have a dream), country meets a motown backbeat in "Angeleys," the sultry pop sophistication of "The King Has Lost His Crown," the hooked-on-classics opening of "As Good As New." This is Abba songwriting and studio craft at its finest.

Again, aside from favorites and "Mamma Mia!" standards "I Have a Dream", "Chiquitita", "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!", "Voulez-Vous" and "Does Your Mother Know", this is ABBA's disco album, with heavy Bee Gees influences present in "Summer Night City". Other songs that I find enjoyable are the catchy "As Good As New", "Angeleyes" and "The King Has Lost His Crown". The one song that I find annoying is "Lovers Live a Little Longer".